Farming Basics

Supplemental lighting in hydroponic greenhouse systems can contribute significantly to the quality of produce grown in such systems, but it has to be utilised optimally as it adds significantly to the capital outlay and running expense of such a facility.

Biogas promises farmers lower energy costs, improved waste management, and protection against load-shedding, but results have been mixed. Mauro Delle Donne, owner of Zandam Cheese and Piggery, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the challenges he’s faced and how he plans to make it work in future.

Farmers often say fungicides don’t work well enough, but their effectiveness is determined by several factors. Farmer’s Weekly spoke to industry experts about the best practices for developing effective fungicide application strategies.

Despite the Western Cape’s dry climate limiting traditional off-season cover cropping, farmers and researchers are finding innovative ways to integrate cover crops into their systems. By alternating seasons between cash crops and cover crops, producers are improving soil health, boosting grazing capacity, and managing weeds, demonstrating the versatility of cover crops under challenging conditions.

Many farmers still think of integrated pest management (IPM) as a combination of pesticides, biological products and beneficial insects. But according to ProCrop SA plant pathologist Dr Gideon van Zyl, that understanding misses the point. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Parasitic weeds remain a major threat to crop production across Africa, particularly in grain-based systems. Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, director of food security and safety research at North-West University, offers a practical guide to managing these weeds through improved soil health and sustainable farming practices.

Mating of closely related animals on communal farms not only has monetary consequences, but also has an impact on the genetic make-up of livestock, animal performance, and fertility, says Shane Brody.

Dr Hanré Bredenkamp Ferreira, veterinarian and technical manager at Virbac, spoke to Henning Naudé about how commercial sheep farmers can identify, treat, and prevent foot rot, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

What began as a routine monthly clean-up in Bulawayo’s Pumula suburb uncovered something far worse than litter: a permanent illegal dumpsite wedged between family homes, scarred by deep pits carved out by sand poachers.

Getting to know and properly understanding the requirements to effectively produce cabbages will always give the producer the competitive edge, writes Shane Brody.

You can attract a variety of bird species to your garden with a cost-effective, easy-to-make feeder constructed with repurposed or common materials available from your local hardware store, writes Linda Piegl.

It’s essential to know how much fodder your veld produces in a year. Over time, keeping fewer animals invariably improves the veld and raises animal production simply because more fodder is available during dry periods.

South African farmers have embraced both mechanisation and staffing solutions to improve farm level efficiency. Sabrina Dean investigated the pros and cons of both and filed this report.

Onions are susceptible to several diseases, which can significantly impact their yield and quality. Bill Kerr takes a look at some of the major ones.

South Africa’s Diesel Refund Scheme has been fundamentally restructured, with a 100% rebate and stricter compliance rules now in place. Freek van Rooyen, a partner at Shepstone & Wylie Attorneys, and Mona Appalsamy, a senior associate at the firm, explain what claimants need to prepare for under the new system.

Baling twine and other foreign materials such as synthetic fibres and feedbag remnants significantly reduce the value of mohair clips for farmers, as buyers factor in contamination when valuing mohair before auction.

While arts and crafts markets in big centres and along major roads can be successful, empty promises about the scope for the curios and tourism trade in more remote, less travelled areas can cause heartache, even resentment. Often, the crafters cannot even earn the extra few hundred rands that would make life more bearable for them.

Grazing systems that mimic game behaviour are appealing in theory, but natural processes are complex. Before switching strategies, farmers should consider local conditions, costs, and evidence, since rainfall ultimately drives veld condition more than any management system.

Poor planting decisions can significantly reduce winter crop yields. Farmer’s Weekly spoke to agronomists about the common mistakes South African farmers make, including incorrect cultivar choice and fertiliser mismanagement.

Zimbabwe aims to develop 496 000ha of land under irrigation by 2030 to reduce reliance on rain-fed [rainfed] farming, a key pillar of its National Development Strategy.